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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) is leading 35 of his colleagues in demanding answers from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) after the agency abruptly froze funding for the Citizenship and Assimilation (C&A) Grant Program, jeopardizing critical services that help lawful permanent residents become U.S. citizens. Since 2009, the C&A Grant Program, previously known as the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, has funded organizations that assist immigrants with citizenship applications, English language instruction, and civics education. The freeze—ordered by a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) memorandum on January 28—has left grant recipients without resources and no clear timeline for reinstatement. A list of grant recipients impacted by the funding freeze is available—click HERE for FY23 recipients and HERE for FY24 recipients.

“We write to express our deep concern regarding the recent freeze of funding to grantees under the Citizenship and Assimilation (C&A) Grant Program, and to request further information about your actions. Since 2009, this program has been instrumental in supporting eligible lawful permanent residents on their path to U.S. citizenship,” wrote Gomez and his colleagues.

“Additionally, the services funded by this program help applicants submit correctly completed forms, reducing errors and delays, and preventing unnecessary burdens on USCIS staff,” they continued. “By equipping eligible applicants with the tools to navigate the naturalization process more effectively, the C&A Grant Program improves efficiency within the system, saving USCIS valuable time and resources otherwise spent resolving errors, issuing requests for evidence, or reprocessing applications. Cutting funding for this program will only increase administrative inefficiencies and add to existing case backlogs.”

Rep. Gomez was joined in demanding answers by Reps. Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), André Carson (IN-07), Ed Case (HI-01), Danny Davis (IL-07), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Lou Correa (CA-46), Dave Min (CA-47), Jerry Nadler (NY-12), and Dina Titus (NV-01).

Rep. Gomez and his colleagues have formally requested USCIS provide clarity on the rationale behind the funding freeze, the legal authority for the decision, and an immediate plan to mitigate its impact.

You can read the full letter HERE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

San Francisco – Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement on the government funding bill under consideration in the Senate:

“Donald Trump and Elon Musk have offered the Congress a false choice between a government shutdown or a blank check that makes a devastating assault on the well-being of working families across America.  Let’s be clear: neither is a good option for the American people.  But this false choice that some are buying instead of fighting is unacceptable.  I salute Leader Hakeem Jeffries for his courageous rejection of this false choice, and I am proud of my colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus for their overwhelming vote against this bill.

“Democratic senators should listen to the women.  Appropriations leaders Rosa DeLauro and Patty Murray have eloquently presented the case that we must have a better choice: a four-week funding extension to keep government open and negotiate a bipartisan agreement.  America has experienced a Trump shutdown before – but this damaging legislation only makes matters worse.  Democrats must not buy into this false choice.  We must fight back for a better way.  Listen to the women, For The People.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

San Francisco – Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement on the passing of Congressman Raúl Grijalva:

“It is with profound sadness that I learned of the passing of Chairman Raúl Grijalva.  Throughout his lifetime of service, Chairman Grijalva was a fighter for the unseen — first as a community organizer and local official, and later as a champion of his beloved Arizona for more than two decades in the Congress.

“A pioneer for bilingual education, immigrants and Dreamers, local reinvestment and accessibility in new housing, Chairman Grijalva served as the top Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee for many years where he worked to protect our public lands, advocated for indigenous people and fought for clean air and water for all.

“Chairman Grijalva was a deeply respected Member of the Democratic Caucus and he will be missed dearly by all who knew him.  May it be a comfort to his wife, Ramona, his daughters, Adelita, Raquel and Marisa, his grandchildren and the entire Grijalva family that so many in the Congress, across Arizona, and all over America mourn with them at this sad time.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement marking four years since the American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law:

“Four years ago, President Joe Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan, which pulled our nation from the depths of the pandemic and ignited the strongest economic recovery in the world.  Democrats’ Rescue Plan got life-saving vaccines into arms, stimulus checks into pockets, children safely back in schools and people back to work.  At the same time, it slashed child poverty in half with our expanded Biden Child Tax Credit, drove historic job growth and expanded access to health care coverage for millions of Americans. 

“With our first budget, Democrats prioritized the needs of America’s working families.  But as we mark the fourth anniversary of the American Rescue Plan, Republicans are plotting to betray hardworking American taxpayers with a budget that rips away Medicaid from millions of everyday Americans to give tax breaks to their billionaire donors.  While Republicans choose to protect the wealthy and well-connected, Democrats are united in our commitment to fight for working families and stop the House Republican budget betrayal.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi released the following statement after President Trump delivered his address to a Joint Session of Congress:

“Just like the last time he addressed the Congress, President Trump’s speech tonight was another manifesto of mistruths.

“President Trump promised to reduce inflation.  He didn’t.  President Trump promised to lower the cost of living.  He didn’t.  Instead, President Trump’s budget plan raises costs for millions of Americans by making huge cuts to Medicaid — while giving tax breaks to billionaires.  Curiously, the President did not mention his cuts to Medicaid or repeat the charges from him and Elon Musk that Social Security is a ‘scam’ and a ‘Ponzi scheme.’

“All across America, people are feeling the pain of President Trump’s policies at their kitchen tables.  It is clear that President Trump does not care about the pain of the American people – but he should fear their power. 

“As Americans show up and speak out about how the President’s policies are wreaking havoc on their lives, Democrats will continue to lead the fight against President Trump’s bait-and-switch assault on America — while Republicans stand and applaud it.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi announced today that Elena Hung will be her guest for tonight’s address to a joint session of Congress.  Ms. Hung is the co-founder and Executive Director of Little Lobbyists, a family-led organization that advocates for children with complex medical needs and disabilities.

“Elena Hung’s courageous daughter, Xiomara, was born with a number of serious medical conditions and is thriving today as a result of access to quality health care — including Medicaid,” Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said.  “As the co-founder and executive director of Little Lobbyists, Elena has shined a bright light on what having access to Medicaid means to Xiomara and millions of other families across the country.”

Speaker Emerita Pelosi continued: “Elena Hung has been a relentless advocate for ensuring disabled children have the health care, education and community inclusion they need to survive and thrive.  At a time when Medicaid is under assault by those who seek to give tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations, I am honored that Xiomara’s story will be told through Elena’s attendance as my guest to this year’s address to a joint session of Congress.”

“I am honored to be invited by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi to be her guest at the Joint Session of Congress, and I appreciate the opportunity to help highlight the life-saving role that Medicaid plays for families like mine — families who experience the joys and challenges of caring for a child with complex medical needs and disabilities,” Elena Hung said.  “Thanks to Medicaid, my daughter Xiomara is thriving beyond expectations.  Medicaid is crucial health care; Americans do not want to steal from disabled children to give tax breaks to giant corporations and billionaires.”

Elena Hung, her daughter Xiomara, and families like them visit Capitol Hill and offices across the country to share their stories and speak with lawmakers and their staffers about what is possible with access to affordable, quality health care, including Medicaid, and what is at stake without it.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN),House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Emeritus Michael McCaul (R-TX), Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL), Middle East Subcommittee Chairman Mike Lawler (R-NY), and Congresswoman Sarah McBride (D-DE) reintroduced legislation to finally sanction the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC). The bill was also introduced for the first time in the Senate by Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), demonstrating the growing momentum to finally sanction the Popular Resistance Committees.

The Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) are the third-largest terror group in Gaza and, since their founding in 2000 during the Second Intifada, have carried out terror attacks against Israelis, Americans, and Palestinians. The two largest terrorist groups in Gaza are Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), which have long been sanctioned. It is past time that the PRC, whose ranks include former operatives from Hamas and PIJ, join their ranks on the U.S.’s list of designated terrorist groups.

The Popular Resistance Committees participated in Hamas’s horrific October 7th massacre, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis, Americans, and others, as well as widespread torture and sexual violence as well as the abduction of some 250 hostages. The PRC proudly boasted about their involvement on their social media channels, issuing a statement on October 7th claiming joint responsibility for the massacre. The PRC’s posts showed that the group killed and took hostage a number of innocent people on October 7th. 

“Every day that we fail to sanction the terrorist Popular Resistance Committees – which have murdered Americans and Israelis for decades, and participated in the barbaric October 7th massacre including by taking hostages – is another day that we fail to secure justice for their victims. It is long overdue that the Popular Resistance Committees are designated as a terrorist organization and sanctioned, alongside Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad,” said Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA). “I’m proud to reintroduce my legislation to finally hold these monsters accountable for the terror they have wreaked on innocents in the region.”

“The Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) is the third-largest terrorist organization in Gaza and another puppet of Iran,” said Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE). “Despite decades of attacks against Americans and Israelis, including on October 7th, the PRC has yet to be properly sanctioned for its barbarism. This bill will help hold accountable every terrorist that participated in the October 7th attacks.”

“For years, the Popular Resistance Committees have carried out terrorist attacks against Israelis, Americans, and Palestinians. They were willing and cruel participants with Hamas during the horrific October 7th massacre, killing innocent Israelis and taking and holding hostages after that terrible attack. Any organization engaging in this level of violence should be sanctioned under U.S. law and officially designated as a terrorist group. The United States stands with Israel, and this is an important step to holding those responsible for October 7th accountable,” said Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA).

“The terrorists responsible for the barbaric October 7th attack on Israel must be held accountable for their abhorrent actions against innocent men, women, and children,” saidCongressman David Kustoff (R-TN). “For years now, the Popular Resistance Committees, the third largest terror group in the Gaza strip, have terrorized Israelis and Americans in the region. Enough is enough. I am pleased to join Rep. Sherman to introduce this crucial legislation that will sanction the PRC.”

“The horrific attacks of October 7 were a brutal assault on innocent civilians, and all perpetrators must be held accountable. The Accountability for Terrorist Perpetrators of October 7 Act ensures the U.S. stands firmly against all groups involved – including Hamas. We will continue to support Israel and pursue justice for the victims of these barbaric acts,” said Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Emeritus Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX).

“For far too long, the Popular Resistance Committees have evaded the consequences of their terrorist attacks against Israelis, Americans, and Palestinians. Their involvement in the barbaric October 7th massacre makes it even more urgent that the United States impose long-overdue sanctions on this terrorist organization. With this legislation, we are taking a critical step toward ensuring that the PRC is held accountable and cut off from the global financial system, just like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad,” said Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL).

“The Popular Resistance Committees have long been a dangerous and violent force in Gaza, committing heinous acts of terrorism and destabilizing the region. It is long overdue that we take decisive action to hold them accountable. The passage of this bill through the House Foreign Affairs Committee last Congress was a critical first step, and I am committed to ensuring that the PRC faces the sanctions they have long deserved in the 119th Congress,” said Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY).

“The Popular Resistance Committees have committed heinous acts of terror against Israelis and Palestinians for decades but have evaded any accountability. Their role in the October 7th massacre, the murder of American citizens, and their ongoing role in the hostage crisis demands immediate action. I am proud to join Rep. Brad Sherman in leading this bipartisan, bicameral effort to finally sanction this brutal terror group and cut off its access to our financial networks. We must remain unwavering in our commitment to holding all perpetrators of terrorism accountable,” said Congresswoman Sarah McBride (D-DE). 

The Popular Resistance Committees have a long history of carrying out terror attacks across Israel and the Palestinian territories. In 2003, the PRC bombed a United States diplomatic convoy which injured a U.S. diplomat and killed 3 American security guards. In 2004, PRC terrorists murdered pregnant Israeli woman Tali Hatuel and her 4 daughters, 11-year-old Hila, 9-year-old Hadar, 7-year-old Roni, and baby Meirav who was only 2 years old. The PRC has even targeted Palestinians in terror attacks, including the 2005 assassination of Palestinian Security Services chief Moussa Arafat.

Despite multiple State Department reports identifying terror attacks committed by the Popular Resistance Committees, the group has never faced U.S. sanctions. This legislation would finally hold the PRC accountable for its long history of heinous terror attacks by applying long-overdue sanctions on the group. This commonsense bill picked up significant momentum in the 118th Congress, including a unanimous passage through the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in a demonstration of widespread support for this long overdue measure.

Under the Accountability for Terrorist Perpetrators of October 7th Act, the PRC would be designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) organization. This designation would create criminal and civil penalties for anyone willfully providing support to the PRC, including up to 20 years in prison, civil fines, and property forfeitures. In addition, the legislation would subject the Popular Resistance Committees and their members to financial asset-blocking sanctions in any financial institution connected to the U.S. financial system as well as visa-blocking sanctions. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) along with Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), and Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (D-OR) re-introduced the bipartisan Access to Small Business Investor Capital Act, which makes a narrow technical correction to a federal securities rule that has had major unintended consequences over the last two decades.

In 1980, Congress created Business Development Companies (BDCs) to facilitate capital formation into small and medium sized businesses. BDCs provide investment and management assistance to growing businesses across the country and are required to invest at least 70 percent of their assets in small businesses.

Business development companies have stepped up to provide capital for smaller businesses. Yet an SEC rule drafted in 2006 has prevented business development companies from securing additional capital to invest in American businesses. The SEC rule requires funds who invest in business development companies to disclose management fees and other expenses of a BDC as well as “acquired fund fees and expenses.” This requirement led to a miscalculation. BDCs typically have higher operating expenses than passive investment funds, like index funds, because they devote substantial resources to sourcing, evaluating, and managing investments in American small businesses. However, these expenses are already reflected in a BDC’s management fees, expenses and market price. When the SEC required funds investing in BDCs to disclose BDC expenses again, it resulted in double counting, overstating the BDC’s expenses and giving investors a misleading view of the actual costs they bear. This miscalculation led funds to stop investing in BDCs thereby reducing the capital available for BDCs to invest in small businesses.

The Access to Small Business Investor Capital Act corrects this unintended consequence while maintaining existing disclosures by making a minor correction allowing funds to omit a BDC’s “acquired fund fees and expenses” while still continuing to disclose the BDCs management fees and other expenses. This will give investors an accurate picture of a BDC’s expenses and allow BDCs to compete for capital to then invest in small businesses. 

“The most important thing that our financial institutions and capital markets do is provide capital for businesses, particularly small, medium-sized, and growing businesses,” said Congressman Sherman. “Business development companies play a vital role in supporting small businesses, and I’m proud to work with a bipartisan group of Members to remove an unnecessary barrier that limits their ability to deliver more capital to American small businesses.”

“Business Development Companies (BDCs) provide critical capital to small and mid-sized businesses, allowing them to thrive and grow. Fixing the acquired fund fees and expenses rule will result in more loans and increased lending volume,” said Rep. Bill Huizenga. “Too often Americans are negatively impacted by the unintended consequences from bureaucrats in Washington. By making this long overdue technical correction to a federal securities rule, we can resolve one of these consequences. I am happy to co-lead this bipartisan effort and look forward to seeing it ultimately signed into law.”

Rep. Garbarino said: “Business Development Companies have long played a critical role in providing capital to small and mid-sized businesses, but a burdensome change in regulation has limited their ability to invest in American entrepreneurs. The Access to Small Business Investor Capital Act removes an unnecessary hurdle, ensuring small businesses have the access to capital they need to expand, create jobs, and drive innovation.”

“I’ve said over and over that I’ll work with anyone to lower costs, create jobs, and make life better for Oregonians,” said Rep. Bynum. “By removing an unnecessary obstacle for small businesses, this bipartisan bill does all three.”

To view this bill, Click Here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) issued the following statement on the partisan Republican spending bill passed by House Republicans:

“Elon Musk has made it clear: He’s targeting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for devastating cuts. And House Republicans voted today to give him a blank check to do just that. 

While I’m ready and willing to support bipartisan government funding, today’s House Republican funding bill represents nothing more than a devastating betrayal of hardworking American veterans, seniors and families.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended the deadline for Los Angeles wildfire victims to apply for federal aid to March 31, 2015.

“While I have fought for a later deadline, this three-week extension provides immediate relief to those who have not registered yet,” said Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) in reaction to the announcement. “I will continue to advocate for a longer application period, however the new deadline is March 31, and a further extension is unlikely.” 

“Even if you do not know if you are eligible, apply now on both the FEMA and SBA websites,” urged Congressman Sherman.

For FEMA Assistance: DisasterAssistance.gov

For SBA Assistance: SBA.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/california-wildfires

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